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Mygirlscats · 10-05-2022, 12:03 PM

We switch off the fuse that controls our electric water heater at home if we’re going to be away more than a few days. The difference, I think, is that the home tank takes hours to bring to temperature so it would be inefficient to turn it off for a day. The tiny tank in our RV takes half an hour or less to heat, so we only switch it on when it’s needed.

Ecuador Dave · 10-05-2022, 08:24 PM

I generally keep the electric on whne on shore power. seldom have issues of not enough. Maybe of doing laundry and showers. This summer I ran the LP almost all the time. It was easier on the ACs and it was hot sun on the coach so it didnt need a lot to maintain. once it cooled I could see the difference again.

Mongobird · 10-06-2022, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mygirlscats

We switch off the fuse that controls our electric water heater at home if we’re going to be away more than a few days. The difference, I think, is that the home tank takes hours to bring to temperature so it would be inefficient to turn it off for a day. The tiny tank in our RV takes half an hour or less to heat, so we only switch it on when it’s needed.

I have a conventional hot water heater tank at home. I have turned it to pilot for a one-week absence, and when I get home and turn it back on, usually the burner does not fire up. What that tells me is that the thermal loss over one week is insufficient to trigger the burner. Now if I run a load of dishes in the dishwasher, the burner will fire up on the second draw of water. So that tells me that in the course of a week I'm using less energy then a gallon and a half of hot water.

cruizerEd · 10-06-2022, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

... So, do you turn off your house water heater when you aren't using hot water, and do you turn it off when you leave the house?

When I had a home I used a water heater timer. It was easy because the schedule was much more regular and the thank held 60 Gal hot for a long time.

Actually considered it for the RV but our schedule is very erratic and it is so easy to turn it on and off in the RV.

Mudfrog · 10-06-2022, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruizerEd

When I had a home I used a water heater timer. It was easy because the schedule was much more regular and the thank held 60 Gal hot for a long time.

Actually considered it for the RV but our schedule is very erratic and it is so easy to turn it on and off in the RV.

I installed a timer right after we built the house back in 2010. The heater's energy guide sticker shows the annual cost to be much higher than what we actually spend for the year. The timer has more than paid for itself.

A timer would probably save if fulltiming in an RV. Don't think it would be feasible or worth it for the occasional camper though. Just a lot of variables a person would have to consider to see if one was worth it.